A place can be experienced in many different ways: to truly understand it, one must walk its streets, enjoy its cultural and environmental beauties, and seek out the genius loci of the area. Among these are the recipes and food products; on the island of Capri, the culinary tradition is truly rich and surprising.
One of the best ways to discover it is to choose to taste the dishes at the Da Gelsomina restaurant in Anacapri. A restaurant whose history coincides with that of the family currently managing it: starting with Gelsomina, the great-grandmother of the current owner, who passed on not only her name but also a passion for this work.
From a simple tavern with a bar, the kitchen grew more and more over time until it became a real restaurant. Over the years, the desire to grow and improve never left the family. And so, in 2020, the Da Gelsomina restaurant celebrated its 60 years of activity, having passed through the hands of three generations.
Today, Gelsomina Maresca, her parents, and her brother have taken up the torch from their ancestors and, continuing to manage everything with a purely family-run approach, proudly bring the original cuisine of Capri to the table.
The menu at Da Gelsomina includes both meat and fish dishes. Among the first courses, the typical hand-made ravioli capresi are a must. The offering is wide, but the traditional dishes have remained unchanged; behind the stove, after all, is the culinary expertise of Teresa Maresca, who, with the help of skilled collaborators, strives to bring the best quality and flavor to the table.
The cuisine of Da Gelsomina has received numerous recognitions: it has often been cited in Gambero Rosso magazine and the famous Michelin Guide. In addition to the aforementioned ravioli capresi, it is highly recommended to try the delicious coniglio alla cacciatora (hunter’s rabbit), or, among the desserts, the classic caprese cake or the delicious lemon ricotta cake.
“What you still breathe as you cross the threshold of the restaurant,” tells us Gelsomina, “is the uniqueness of a family tradition: the recipes have remained unchanged because they tell our story and that of the people of Capri. At the same time, however, we also try to keep up with the times, improving the establishment and offering new options to our customers. Just think, when it all started, the restaurant had about ten tables; today, however, we can welcome about 180 people.”
The restaurant has two dining rooms, a terrace, and an indoor hall. It is located in a panoramic position, just steps away from the stunning Belvedere di Migliara. The garden surrounding the restaurant was created by Gelsomina’s father over time, adding new details until the beautiful pool was completed in the 1990s. From the poolside, today, it is possible to admire breathtaking sunsets.
Thanks to these features, the Da Gelsomina restaurant is the ideal location for events, from weddings to conferences and much more. It is no coincidence that many choose it every year to celebrate important moments of their lives, using it as a backdrop for memories they will cherish forever in their hearts.
